Hi ladies. I have been living with PCOS for 3 years now, and just wanted to share my story.

I was desperate to get pregnant for so long, and it took three doctors and over 2 years before I finally got diagnosed with PCOS. Up until that point, nobody could tell me why I was anovulatory. I should mention that I had no outward signs of PCOS other than anovulation - that is to say, I was a "normal" weight (5'3" and 120 lbs). Once I was diagnosed (November 2002), my testosterone levels were tested (why didn't they do this before????), and the doctor was visibly shocked. He said he had never seen such a high testosterone level. Always good to hear. I was just happy to know the face of my enemy!

My RE started with 100 mgs of clomid. I ovulated for the first time - perhaps ever in my life. However, it was a very late ovulation, and I didn't get pregnant. That continued for three more cycles, although he also added the trigger shot after that first cycle. Then my doc wanted to do a laparoscopy. I was terrified of surgery, but he really wanted to know what he was dealing with (ie., if there were any other problems in there). So, I consented. The surgery was scheduled for early March 2003. The surgery was a breeze - very little pain, quick recovery. My doc found that I had a partial septum in my uterus, which he fixed during the surgery. Other than that, he thought things looked good. He was very pleased with the surgery.

Immediately after the surgery, he had me start taking glucophage. Therefore, I started the gluc in mid-March 2003. I had my first post-surgery cycle in mid-April, so I had been on the gluc for approximately a month. This was the first clomid/ gluc cycle. I got pregnant.

We'll never know if it was the surgery or the gluc/ clomid combo, or both, but this is what worked for me. My beautiful baby girl just turned one last month.

I really want to give you ladies hope - I remember those dark days when I never thought it would happen for me. It's so hard to keep hoping when your dreams are crushed cycle after cycle. But it WILL happen for you.

FINALLY - I want you to know that I have had regular cycles for the last three months. I have been eating a moderately low carb diet since February 2004, and now weigh 114, which just happens to be EXACTLY 5% less than my pre-pregnancy weight of 120. I only mention weight because all the studies indicate that losing just 5% of your body weight can cause ovulation to resume in many women with PCOS. I never thought that applied to me, because I was already at a pretty normal weight. Well, I don't think it's a coincidence that I was eating low carb for almost a year, but it wasn't until my weight finally hit that 5% point that I started ovulating (I have confirmed ovulation).

Please feel free to get in touch with me - I always have time for my cysters. My email address is amanda_uphoff@hotmail.com. Please put something PCOS related in the subject line, so I don't delete your message.

My very best, and GOOD LUCK achieving your dream of becoming a mommy!!!

Amanda